RECAP: Pelicans 105, Hawks 100

The Hawks used a barrage of three-pointers in the second and third quarters to take a four point lead on the Pelicans into the final quarter. However, in the fourth, the Hawks’ luck behind the arc dwindled and their defense failed to stop Anthony Davis and Brian Roberts. New Orleans scored 34 points in the fourth quarter, including two points off of a Roberts runner with 20 seconds left that was the final dagger for Atlanta. This was the Hawks’ 11th loss of the season that came by five points or less.

Reaction grades [assessed 0-10]:

Paul Millsap: It was nice to see Paul Millsap’s offense join the ballcub after a couple of games off. Millsap hit three three-pointers, all in the third quarter, and scored 26 points overall on the night. However, Anthony Davis is an emerging star in this league, and it showed as Paul had a difficult time guarding him all night. 7/10

DeMarre Carroll: This was one of DeMarre’s best games all season. Unfortunately for the Hawks, DeMarre’s impact was lessened a bit, as the Pelicans don’t have a strong player on the wing for DeMarre to make a huge impact on defensively. Nevertheless, DeMarre scored a season-high 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals. He was also 4-for-6 from behind the arc. 9/10

Kyle Korver: New Orleans did a great job at keeping Korver from getting open, translating to Kyle only getting six shot attempts on the night. Props to Al-Farouq Aminu for that. Kyle also found himself matched on former teammate Anthony Morrow at times and, suffice to say, I think it’s fair to award A-Mo as the winner of that matchup. (#KyleStreak to 117, though) 4/10

Jeff Teague: One of Jeff’s best play-making games of the year, which was particularly nice with DeMarre and Millsap hitting their open shots from behind the arc. However, Jeff couldn’t get his offense up and running, and it resulted in 11 points on 14 shots. The 13 assists and two turnovers is great, but Jeff rushed some of his shots on the night, most notably a early-clock, forced three from the corner where he had Anthony Davis in a switch. Also, Brian Roberts? Really Jeff? 6/10

Gustavo Ayon: Only 17 minutes for Goose, which I felt was the right decision. New Orleans had Stiemsma and Davis protecting the rim for nearly the whole game and Gustavo isn’t going to be able to finish around them. This is definitely a game where the Hawks sorely missed Pero Antic. 3/10

Elton Brand: E.B. had three blocks in the game. Who’s the best shot blocker in the game now, Anthony Davis?!? … (it’s still Davis) Brand had four points and six boards in 20 minutes, but it felt like he could have done more offensively to open up the paint more. 6.5/10

Mike Scott: Scott hit four huge three-pointers, but it wasn’t enough as he, nor the team, could do much inside the three-point line. That said, I don’t know where this team would be without Mike’s 16 points. 8/10

Lou Williams: A really quiet night from Lou, but it was for good reasons. He did some efficient scoring and generally wasn’t an eyesore on the floor. 6/10

Shelvin Mack: Like Teague, Mack was good at getting the ball around to his mates, but not actually good at putting the ball through the hoop for himself. I’m actually surprised Dennis Schröder didn’t get some run off of the bench because of this. 4.5/10

Mike Budenhozler: The Pelicans are one of the worst defensive teams in the league and they were without Jrue Holiday, Ryan Anderson, and Tyreke Evans. Even if it was a game on the road against a West team, this should have been a game where the Hawks won. The 14-for-30 night from behind the line was great, but the team cannot go 24-for-54 on two-pointers and only get to the line 14 times and expect to win most nights. There’s no moral victory here like in the previous night’s loss to the Pacers. 5/10

Opposition: Anthony Davis, Brian Roberts, and Anthony Morrow were huge in this victory for the Pelicans. Wait, is that really a sentence that I just typed? Anyways, I hope that this effort from Davis — which he has been doing for the entire year — gets him into the All-Star game as an injury replacement. He really deserves to be there. 9/10

Bo Churney

One response to RECAP: Pelicans 105, Hawks 100

The Pelicans controlled the 1st and 4th quarters, and were the better team – then again the game was in New Orleans. Brian Roberts and Anthony Morrow were the guys that made the biggest difference in the game for the Pelicans.